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Tag: UNFPA

  • Actionaid begins psycho-social support to IDPs in liberated communities

    Actionaid begins psycho-social support to IDPs in liberated communities

    A team of psycho –social support counselors trained by Actionaid Nigeria with support funding from UNFPA have commenced counseling of victims of Boko Haram on Sexual Gender Based Violence and other related issues in Borno State.

    Our correspondent who visited the NRC IDP Camp in Beneshiek, Kaga local Government saw the team interacting with the displaced people at the IOM Safe Centre at the camp.

    In what looks like an orientation or an introductory meeting, the PSS Team informed the IDP community of their mission and explained to them what they were expected to within the next two months in the community.

    The team leader of Kaga Local Government, Mala Kachala described their meeting with the community as fruitful, adding that, “with the kind of response we have received from the people today about this project, I am sure we are going to make serious impact in this community because the people are so cooperative with us. We are really encouraged by the turnout and we hope they will come out and speak about any kind of violence that has been meted against them”.

    Sani Abubakar, a resident IDP said the meeting with the Actionaid team has exposed them to some rights they ought to enjoy at the camp.

    Hauwa Bukar, did not have time to narrate her entire story but a scratch of clearly reveals a highly traumatized women left with a paralyzed husband and seven children to cater for from the small bean cake frying business she does every day in front of the camp.

    According to her, her hitherto energetic husband developed high blood pressure after a Boko Haram attack in their community that sent everyone packing. He never recovered from that attack and it presently confined in a house paralyzed with stroke.

    Her greatest worry is how to raise the seven children with N300 she makes from her kwese business. “I woke up every day and think of how to feed the children and take care of my husband. Sometime I feel like taking my life. I thank God for these people (Actionaid) for coming. From what they said, I have someone that can listen to my problems and help me solve them”, Hauwa informed our correspondent.

    Explaining the scope of the program, the Project Manager Health, Actionaid  Nigeria  Maryann Obidike, said forty  Psychosocial Support Counselors (PSSC) underwent five days intensive training under the program,  ‘Prevention and Response to Sexual and Gender Based Violence (SGBV)’  at Command Guest House in Maiduguri where they were trained to give psychosocial Support on Sexual  and Gender Based Violence  to displaced people at designated IDP Camps and host communities.

    She informed that the  PSSC are divided into  four groups, ten each to cover liberated communities in four LGAs of Borno State which include Pulka in Gwoza, Beneshiek & Mainok in Kaga, Rann in Kala-Balge and Banki in Bama Local Government Areas.

  • 24th TFL: Students use arts to seek end to FGM

    24th TFL: Students use arts to seek end to FGM

    Students from Public Secondary schools across Lagos state on Saturday raised discourse on the prevalence of Female Genital Mutilation (FGM) at the 24th Edition of Teenage Festival of Life.

    The annual festival by Action Health Incorporated (AHI), a non-governmental organization dedicated to promoting youth’s health and development toward their successful transition to adulthood was tagged: “FGM Free Generation”.

    While delivering her opening remark, Mrs Adenike Esiet, the Executive Director of AHI, noted that the festival was to boost the awareness and knowledge of youths to get them engaged in the discourse towards impacting their various communities.

    Worthy of mention is that despite FGM, a procedure that involves partial or total removal of the external female genital organs for cultural or other non-medical reasons, being recognized as a human right violation, only eight states in Nigeria have domesticated laws prohibiting such practice.

    These states include Ekiti, Osun, Bayelsa, Edo, Cross River, Lagos, Rivers and Ondo.

    In her speech, the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) Country Director, Dr Diene Keita, called for a nationwide effective enforcement of the laws prohibiting FGM toward enhancing societal development.

    Represented by Dr Omolaso Omosehin, Director, UNFPA Lagos Office, Keita urged the Federal Government to ensure that the formulation and enforcement of laws aimed at ending FGM are extended to other states toward encouraging cultural changes.

    She recalled that in May 2015, former President Goodluck Jonathan banned FGM through the Violence Against Persons (Prohibition) Act (VAPP), 2015.

    “Millions of girls are still at risk because the law is not being enforced appropriately. This age-long tradition is harmful to female reproduction system, harmful to health and has no medical basis,” Keita observed.

    Speaking about the Teenage Festival, Miss Funso Bukoye, the Project Coordinator, lamented that the severe short-term and long-term physical and psychological effects of mutilation was practised with the belief that it was beneficial to the girl-child.

    According to her: “Some communities believe it ensures and preserves virginity, marital faithfulness and prevents promiscuity.”

    Bukoye further added that TFL has provided thousands of youths in Lagos with the platform of becoming change agents that would champion the government’s agenda of achieving an FGM free country.

    In its 24th edition, TFL, a forum that enables young people and relevant stakeholders to identify the plights facing youths through artistic presentations, saw students compete with songs, dramas and poetry.

  • UNFPA tasks FG on girl child education

    UNFPA tasks FG on girl child education

    The UN Population Fund (UNFPA) has urged the Federal Government to invest more in the education of youths, especially the girl child, to enable them harness their potential and reap demographic dividends.

    Dr Natalia Kanem, the new Executive Director, UNFPA, made the call at a media briefing on Tuesday in Abuja.

    Kanem said that they deserved quality education and information to enable them make intelligent plans for their future.

    “Government should focus more on the education of the youths, especially the girl child because the girl child is a precious member of Nigerian society.

    “She has the potential to change the world when she is treated equally as the boys, as such, the girl child needs education; she needs to be protected and she needs to be informed.’’

    Read: Governor advocates girl-child empowerment

    The executive director said the organisation endorsed the efforts of Nigeria to bring education to every girl child in the country.

    “We should not shy away from giving correct information to young people; so, we need every young person to seek correct information not misinformation or misconception.

    “This means that parents, teachers, religious and traditional leaders as well as midwives in the communities must be informed to enable them become good sources of information for the young people,’’ she said.

    According to Kanem, education is the indicator for progress in the family because once the mother is educated, her family will be healthier than the family of an uneducated mother.

    She said that an educated mother would have a healthier family and as such the education of the girl child was a very important investment.

    “Women are half of the equation of the solution to most challenges of any country; that is also true here in Nigeria.

    “A well-equipped young woman who can support herself and contribute to the economy is part of the great equation that is going to make Nigeria great and strong,’’ she said.

    The executive director also said that demographic dividend was inseparable from family planning, of which women should be in-charge of.

    She, however, said that family planning should be completely voluntary.

    According to her, UNFPA in collaboration with partners will ensure that the right information and right services are available in the country for people to access. (NAN)

     

  • Remaining Chibok girls to be released soon – FG

    Remaining Chibok girls to be released soon – FG

    The Minister of Women Affairs and Social Development, Aisha Alhassan, said on Thursday the remaining Chibok girls that are still in Boko Haram captivity would be released soon.

    Alhassan stated this at the farewell dinner organised by the ministry in honour of the 106 released school girls after about  eight months rehabilitation period in Abuja.

    She said the Federal Government was still negotiating the release of the remaining Chibok girls and other citizens in Boko Haram captivity.

    “The Federal Government has never relented in the negotiation and I want to assure you that there is light at the end of the tunnel.

    “I appeal to their captors to come to the table and negotiate the release of those in captivity,’’ the minister said.

    Alhassan said the that girls were fit and ready for school again, adding that the federal government was fulfilling its promise to the girls by ensuring they were enrolled back in schools with their bills paid and necessary items for school provided.

    She said when the girls were released President Muhammadu Buhari told the world that the girls had seen the worst and promised that they would be given the best.

    “The government is fulfilling that promise as we all know. The girls have been at the rehabilitation centre for a long time and as a new school year begins, they will be in one of the best schools – the American University of Nigeria (AUN) where they will start a special foundation programmes like a pre-degree.”

    “Since their release, we have been giving them therapy to make them understand that challenges are a part of life and whatever happens to one in life is God’s will,” she added.

    The Country Representative of United Nations Women, Ms Comfort Lamprey, commended the efforts of government in ensuring the general well-being of the girls.

    She advised the girls to be responsible ambassadors of the North East, adding that the remaining Chibok girls would be released soon.

    The Deputy Representative of UNICEF, Mrs Peinille Ironside, said the girls’ return to their community was a new chapter in their lives.

    NAN

  • UNFPA: Stephanie Linus visits Ghana

    UNFPA: Stephanie Linus visits Ghana

    Stephanie Linus, the UNFPA Regional Ambassador for Maternal Health in West and Central Africa has taken her advocacy message to Ghana.

    The award winning actress and movie director is attending a series of events on the invitation of UNFPA Ghana under the leadership of Mr. Niyi Ojuolape; UNFPA Ghana Representative, to advocate for quality maternal health care for women and young girls, resource mobilization for quality healthcare service delivery and encourage policies that protect the rights and dignity of the girl child.

    So far, she has held a press conference, visited Radio and TV Stations and paid a courtesy call to the Minister of Gender, Child and Social Protection Hon. Otiko Afisah Djaba and met with a coalition of youth organization to discuss advocacy issues also attended the Glitz Style Awards.

    Linus, who movie, ‘Dry’, advocates againt the practice of female genital mutilation (FGM), continues to use her platform to speak out against harmful cultural practices, tackle prejudice and push the world to do more to empower women and girls with the freedom, education and equal rights.

  • Gates foundation urges stakeholders to address population growth

    Gates foundation urges stakeholders to address population growth

    • Says it is essential to address economic, social challenges

    Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation (BMGF) has called for the need to look into the issues of rapid population growth in Nigeria.

    While not calling for a legislation for birth control, Dr Mairo Mandara, Country Director of the Foundation said the country might need to declare an emergency on the population with a view to improving the quality of health of the people.

    Nigeria is currently the seventh (7th) largest population in the world, with the predictions to become the third largest population by 2050 if the rate of growth is not checked. 

    With two and a half percent share of world population, Mandara noted that Nigeria is responsible for ten percent of global maternal death at 576/100,000 live birth according to 2013 National Demographic Health Survey.

    To this, she said the knowledge of family planning is essential; stressing, however, said that the issue of the number of children a family should have still remains a personal decision. 

    The Country Director who gave a keynote address to mark the one week 2017 World Population Day with the theme “Family planning, birth spacing: empowering people, developing nations” said: ” for Nigeria, child spacing and family planning are essential for improving the lives of women and children and preventing maternal mortality.

    “Family Planning is essential in addressing the focal and economic challenges, social problems and health issues, so much so that it may necessitate declaring emergency if possible to address the emerging multi-challenges of high maternal mortality ratio, high child mortality rate, civil unrest, poor amenities in schools and social services for rapidly increasing population.” 

    She further added: ” Nigeria houses the 7th largest population in the world and predictions potation her to become the 3rd in 33 years from now if the current annual growth rate of 3.2 percent prevails. 

    “The population age structure is pyramidal with a very large cohort of children at the base. Women constitute almost half of the total population of which those in their reproductive years represent 50 percent of the entire female population. 11 percent of the females are adolescents age 15-19 years and 23 percent of these girls have already commenced motherhood.”

    While also acknowledging that the knowledge of family planning in the country is very high, she, however, said the practice of modern family planning still remains very low. 

    Mandara stressed that using modern family planning method helps ” to time and space pregnancies in an effective way to improve pregnancy outcomes and allows couples to realise their desired number of children.

    “Family planning is a life-saving intervention and one the core pillars of safe because among others it saves women’s lives.”

    She further stressed that any amount spent on family planning will yield economic and other gains that can propel development forward and are thus critical to the success of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.

    “Thus, investing in family planning is investing in the health and rights of women and couples worldwide. These investments also yield economic and other gains that can propel development forward and thus critical to the success of the 2030 agenda for sustainable development.

    Also, United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) Country Director, Dr Diene Keita said some 20 million women in the country lack access to safe and effective family planning methods.

    Keita who was represented by Mr Osaretin Adorni stressed that “fulfilling their unmet demands would save lives by averting 750,000 unintended pregnancies and reducing by one-third the estimated 40,000 annual maternal deaths.”

    The country director hereby pledged that UNFPA “has set an ambitious transformative goal to eliminate all unmet demand for family planning by 2039.”

  • Osinbajo, Amosun, Akeredolu, minister, UNFPA, others express shock

    Osinbajo, Amosun, Akeredolu, minister, UNFPA, others express shock

    Acting President Yemi Osinbajo, Ondo State Governor Oluwarotimi Akeredolu, Ogun State Governor Ibikunle Amosun, Minister of Health Prof. Isaac Adewole and United Nations Population Fund  (UNFPA)  have expressed shock over the  sadden death of Prof. Babatunde Osotimehin.

    He was until his death, UNFPA Executive Director and a former Minister of Health.

    The Acting President, in a statement by his Senior Special Assistant on Media and Publicity, Laolu Akande, extended heartfelt condolences to Osotimehin’s wife, his children and entire family.

    He commiserated with UNFPA workers and the entire UN system on the demise of “a very remarkable international public servant, who served passionately, diligently and worked tirelessly at the global and national stages to reduce maternal mortality and promote universal access to reproductive health”.

    The late Osotimehin, he noted, also had a distinguished career as medical doctor and teacher before he served as a cabinet minister in Nigeria and later at the UN.

    He said the deceased will be long remembered for his many significant developmental contributions at home and in the international community.

    As Prof. Osotimehin is being mourned internationally, the Acting President urged the Osotimehin family, friends and associates to take solace knowing that his notable service and worthy contributions, especially towards improving women and children’s health across the world are widely acclaimed, deeply appreciated, and would be long remembered and honoured.

    Akeredolu commiserated with the Osotimehin family and Nigerians over the demise of the former minister.

    According to a statement by his Chief Press Secretary Segun Ajiboye, Akeredolu lamented the death of Osotimehin, describing the professor’s death as a big loss to Nigeria.

    He said: “The death of Prof. Osotimehin is a big loss, not only to his family, but the country as a whole. His death, coming at this crucial time when the nation needs his service most, is no doubt a huge blow.”

    Amosun described the death of the UNFPA Executive Director as a big loss to Nigeria and the world.

    The governor said the death of the professor of clinical pathology, who he described as a world acclaimed public servant, was particularly saddening for Ogun State, as he was one of the many illustrious sons and daughters that the Gateway State is proud of.

    “We cannot forget his invaluable contributions as Provost, College of Medicine, University of Ibadan and the war against HIV/AIDS, when he served as Executive Director of the National Agency for the Control of AIDS (NACA), which no doubt, significantly tamed the spread of the disease in Nigeria.

    “His achievements, definitely earned him a well-deserved seat in the Federal Executive Council of the previous administration, where he held the portfolio of the Minister of Health,” he added.

    He prayed that God grants the Osotimehin family the fortitude to bear the irreparable loss.

    UNFPA yesterday promised that it would keep Osotimehin’s grand vision for women and young people. It added that it would continue to stand up for the human rights and dignity of everyone, particularly the most vulnerable adolescent girls.

    In a statement on its website, the organisation wrote: “This is a devastating loss for UNFPA and for the people, especially women, girls and youth he dedicated his life to serving, starting from when he became a doctor in Nigeria.

    “UNFPA expressed its deep sympathy to his family and prays that they have the fortitude to bear this great loss.”

    “Dr. Osotimehin was bold and never afraid of a challenge and his strong leadership helped keep the health and rights of the world’s women and girls high on the global agenda.

    “He understood that the world’s 1.8 billion young people are truly its greatest hope for the future.”

    Adewole described Osotimehin’s death as shocking.

    The late Osotimehin, according to the minister, will be remembered for his role and global contributions to increased access to Family Planning as well as sexual and adolescent health, especially in Low and Middle Income Countries (LMICs).

    “Professor Osotimehin whom I fondly called the ‘Big Boss’ during his lifetime will definitely be missed for his dedication, humility, mentorship and patriotism,” Adewole said.

    The minister, who spoke on behalf of the management and staff of the Federal Ministry of Health, condoled with the family, friends, associates and colleagues of the late professor at the United Nations.

  • Nigerian women, girls have paid heavy price for conflicts – Alhassan

    Nigerian women, girls have paid heavy price for conflicts – Alhassan

    Nigerian women and girls in recent times, have paid a heavy price for the myriad of conflicts that ravaged the country, Minister of Women Affairs and Social Development, Sen. Aisha Alhassan has said.

    Alhassan made this known at a meeting with donors and partners on issues that bother on women and girls, at the sideline of the 61st Session of the Commission on Status of Women (CSW) at the Nigeria House in New York.

    “The emergence of extreme terrorism in Nigeria has introduced new dimensions to women and girls’ human rights violations.

    “The situation is further worsened by the humanitarian crisis generated as the internally displaced persons (IDPs) that resulted from the insurgency and the gendered nature of the problem is huge with over 60 per cent of the IDPs population being women and children.

    “Catering for the peculiar needs of this group remains a challenge in the post conflict reconstruction and rehabilitation process,” Alhassan said.

    She said the commitments of donors and partners groups have helped to advance the status of Nigerian women, children and the vulnerable groups.

    Alhassan said the gathering would help to explore how to make strong linkages and consolidate established relationships to help achieve the theme for the 61st CSW, which is to improve the productivity prospects of developing countries that are undergoing recession and decline in national income.

    “Reflections on the progress achieved since our last meeting should help in appraising the value added by the collaborative efforts channelled to different work areas.

    “It is important to examine the impact of investments and support provided since we last met in order to appreciate the transformation that is taking place in the lives of women and vulnerable groups in Nigeria on account of such partnerships.”

    She said the Nigerian women population held a strategic position in the socio-economic and political advancement of the country, regretting, however, that women were still confronted by negative socio-cultural beliefs and practices that shaped their choices and prevented them from contributing optimally to national development.

    The minister, however, said progress recorded through partnerships since the last donors meeting at 2016 CSW, had helped the implementation of strategic policy priorities in many key areas.

    “Working with UNFPA and UNICEF on the abandonment of female genital mutilation (FGM), 100 medical and health workers were trained and 75 ‘FGM Champions’ have also been equipped to conduct house-to-house visitation on the eradication of FGM.

    “Also with UNFPA support, relief materials were provided to the IDPs in the insurgency affected Northeastern States.

    “In collaboration with the ECOWAS Gender Development Centre, rehabilitation and reintegration arrangement is in top gear for the repair and rehabilitation of VVF survivors in Kaduna, Bauchi, Akwa Ibom and Katsina states.”

    “In the area of promoting economic empowerment of women and girls, the Government Enterprise and Empowerment Programme, which is one of the Social Investment Programmes of the Federal Government aimed at providing micro-finance to rural communities nationwide is being implemented by my Ministry in collaboration with the Bank of Industry.”

    She said under the programme, soft loans were given to rural women entrepreneurs like market women, artisans, farmers and women engaged in other small businesses.

    To further expand women’s economic empowerment, Alhassan said initial approval had been granted for a 250 million dollars World Bank project – Strengthening Women Economic Empowerment Programme – to boost government’s financial inclusion programme for grassroot women.

    “The African Development Bank, on its part, is setting aside the sum of five million dollars out of the 13 million dollars economic growth stimulation project in Nigeria for women.

    “UN Women has also supported the Ministry with the training of 600 women, who suffered various forms of violence as result of the insurgency in the Northeast, on skills and techniques needed to access loans from the National Women Empowerment Fund.

    “In the area of women’s political participation, in collaboration with ECOWAS and INEC, the Ministry is working on strategies for increasing women’s participation in politics with a view to creating entry points into political party structures and systems.”

    She said in collaboration with UNFPA and UN Women, the Ministry had undertaken humanitarian interventions in the Northeast through the provision of relief materials to IDPs in Borno, Adamawa, Yobe, Gombe and Bauchi States.

    “The holistic rehabilitation and reintegration programme of the 24 recently released Chibok girls from the captivity of Boko Haram is being carried out in collaboration and with the support of UN Women and UNFPA,” she said.

    Alhassan also said the country recently revised and validated Nigeria’s National Action Plan on UN Security Council’s resolution 1325, in order to provide a more robust and strategic framework for addressing women peace and security concerns.

    She commended the donors and partners for their collaboration and commitments towards advancing the mandate of the Ministry by ensuring better life for Nigerian women, children, the physically challenged and other vulnerable groups.

     

  • Stephanie Linus named UNFPA Ambassador

    NOLLYWOOD actress Stephanie Linus has been appointed regional ambassador for United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA). The unveiling ceremony was held on Wednesday, March 8, at Eko Hotel and Suites, Victoria Island, Lagos.

    Speaking at the unveiling, the UNFPA Executive Director Dr. Babatunde Osotimehin said that celebrities have lent their voices to help people to make the right decisions; among them is Stephanie, who is a strong advocate for the health of the girl-child.

    In her acceptance speech, the mother of one said she is honoured being given the role as UNFPA’s regional Goodwill Ambassador for maternal health in West African region.

    “I am honoured to partner with UNFPA to create an enabling environment for women, girls and every young person to fulfil their potential,” said Linus who in 2015 produced a movie, ‘Dry’, which focuses on VVF, a health crisis which affects young girls exposed to early sex.

    “I will work closely with the fund to draw attention to the work that still needs to be done across the region to increase universal access to comprehensive sexual reproductive health services and information in order to stop women from dying in the course of bringing forth new life, to empower women and girls to choose freely for themselves, if, when and how often to get pregnant, and to protect the rights and dignity of young people to enable them thrive and be the best they can be.”

  • UNFPA, UNICEF call for proactive steps to end female genital mutilation

    UNFPA, UNICEF call for proactive steps to end female genital mutilation

    The United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) and the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) have called for proactive steps that would quickly eradicate female genital mutilation.
    The statement was made by UNFPA Executive Director, Dr BabatundeOsotimehin, and UNICEF Executive Director Anthony Lake on yesterday on 2017 International Day of Zero Tolerance for female genital mutilation(FGM).
    The world must make faster progress to end female genital mutilation by 2030, it was said.
    UNFPAOsotimehinlamented the excruciating pain and irreparablydamagesinflicted on girls’ bodies. “It causes extreme emotional trauma that can last a lifetime.It increases the risk of deadly complications during pregnancy, labour and childbirth, endangering both mother and child.
    “It robs girls of their autonomy and violates their human rights.It reflects the low status of girls and women and reinforces gender inequality, fueling intergenerational cycles of discrimination and harm.It is female genital mutilation and cutting. And despite all the progress we have made toward abolishing this violent practice, millions of girls — many of them under the age of 15 — will be forced to undergo it this year alone.
    “Sadly, they will join the almost 200 million girls and women around the world who are already living with the damage FGM/C causes – and whose communities are already affected by its impact.
    According to him, in 2015, the Sustainable Development Goals recognized the close connection between FGM/C, gender inequality, and development – and reignited global action to end FGM/C by 2030.
    “In 2016, more than 2,900 communities, representing more than 8.4 million people living in countries where UNFPA and UNICEF work jointly to end FGM/C, declared they had abandoned the practice. In 2017, we must demand faster action to build on this progress. That means calling on governments to enact and enforce laws and policies that protect the rights of girls and women and prevent FGM/C.
    He said: “It means creating greater access to support services for those at risk of undergoing FGM/C and those who have survived it. It also means driving greater demand for those services, providing families and communities with information about the harm FGM/C causes – and the benefits to be gained by ending it. And ultimately, it means families and communities taking action themselves and refusing to permit their girls to endure the violation of FGM/C.Let us make this the generation that abolishes FGM/C once and for all – and in doing so, help create a healthier, better world for all.”